Study Finds Most Americans Find More Meaning in Relationships Than in Religion

Most Americans, including those who believe in God, say their main source of meaning in life comes from their relationships with others such as family and friends instead of religion, according to a new study released by the Institute for Family Studies.

In “Meaning in Modern America,” psychology professor Clay Routledge details findings from two surveys he conducted to explore how Americans think about and experience meaning in postmodern culture.

“American culture is changing in a number of ways that have potentially powerful implications for people’s efforts to find and maintain meaning in life. Americans are waiting longer to get married and have children, and are having fewer children. Feelings of social disconnection and loneliness are on the rise, even as people are increasingly ‘connected’ via social media,” Routledge notes in the study.

“Americans are decreasingly religious both in terms of personal faith and involvement in religious organizations (e.g., church attendance). Considering the changing landscape of American culture, I wanted to explore people’s current views on what gives their lives meaning and how these views may be similar and distinct as a function of factors relevant to both social and religious life,” he explains on what prompted the research.

In the first survey of approximately 400 participants, social relationships stood out as the most prominently mentioned source of meaning in life for all participants.

“This is not surprising as social bonds are critical for survival and have a major influence on physical and psychological health. Consistent with surveys showing major declines in Americans’ religiosity, religion did not emerge as a prominent theme,” Routledge says.